The antimammary tumor effects of ethanolic extract of propolis from Adamawa region (Cameroon) are by apoptosis via reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial pathway.

Identification of novel natural treatment to combat cancer is a current need. This study was aimed at assessing the anticancer effects of ethanol-extracted Cameroonian propolis (EEP). The antitumor effect of EPP was evaluated in vitro by measuring; cell viability, cell cycle, cell death mechanism, cell migration/invasion, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial potential (ΔΨm), caspase activity, and apoptosis-regulating proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL) in cell lines. In vivo, the effect of EEP against 7,12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast tumorigenesis in rats was assessed. EEP was found to induce cytotoxicity against ER negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells by activating apoptosis through ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway. The extract equally triggered caspase-3 and caspase-9, increment of ROS level, disruption of ΔΨm and down-regulation of Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 proteins. Besides, EPP prevented migration and invasion activities by inhibiting MMP-2 activity. At all doses it prevented breast tumor incidence (20% in EEP 150 mg/kg vs 70% in DMBA) as well as tumor burden. Tumor sections from EEP-treated rats showed middle proliferation of mammary ducts with weak inflammatory responses. In summary, Cameroonian propolis exhibited antimammary tumor effects via the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis.

Acetylated Furostene Glycosides from Solanum gilo Fruits.

In continuation of our work on a traditional mixture of spices called "Nkui", used in Cameroon for its influence on women's reproductive health, we investigated the chemical composition of Solanum gilo, one component of "Nkui". A methanolic extract was studied in detail. After dereplication of several known compounds, two furo-5-stene-derived saponin glycosides with acetylated sugar moieties were isolated. By extensive 1- and 2D NMR experiments and HR-MS and GC-MS methods, the structures were elucidated as 26-[(3‴,4‴,6‴-tri-O-acetyl)-ß-D-glucopyranosyloxy]-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3ß-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1″→2')-ß-D-glucopyranoside (A) and 26-[(3‴,4‴,6‴-tri-O-acetyl)-ß-D-glucopyranosyloxy]-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3ß-yl-[O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1''''→4')-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1″→2')]-ß-D-glucopyranoside (B), both new natural compounds.

Ricinodendron heudelotii (Euphorbiaceae) seed oil prevents DMBA-induced breast cancer under menopause-like conditions in Wistar rats.

Despite efforts, breast cancer remains associated with a high incidence and mortality rate. Ricinodendron heudelotii also known as "Njansang," is a plant used for cancer treatment. While several reports on the anticancer potential of its leaves exist, little is known about its seed oil. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anti-breast cancer activity of "Njansang" seed oil. The inhibitory effect of "Njansang" seed oil was determined using MTT and CCK-8 dye reduction assays. Breast cancer was induced with DMBA and promoted with E2V (1 mg/kg) for 4 weeks in ovariectomized rats (menopausal condition). Evaluated parameters included tumor incidence, tumor mass and volume, histopathology, breast cancer biomarker CA 15-3, antioxidant status (CAT, GSH, MDA, NO, SOD), TNF-α and INFγ levels, lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol), as well as toxicity parameters (ALT, AST, creatinine). "Njansang" oil significantly reduced the growth of ER+ (MCF-7) and triple negative (MDA-MB 231) adenocarcinoma cells in vitro as well as tumor incidence, tumor mass and CA 15-3 levels in vivo. It exhibited antioxidant activity, characterized by an increase in SOD and catalase activities, GSH levels and decreased MDA levels compared to the DMBA group. TNF-α and INF-γ levels were reduced following oil treatment, while total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels were reduced. The aforementioned findings confirm the protective effects of "Njansang" oil on induced breast cancer in ovariectomized rats.

In Vitro and In Vivo Antiproliferative Actions of Solanum gilo Raddi (Solanaceae) Fruit Extract on Breast Tissues.

Background: Menopause is a normal event characterized by a drop in estrogen's production, leading to numerous symptoms. To face these later, women rely on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which alleviates numerous menopausal symptoms. Unfortunately, long-term exposure to estrogens is associated with an increase in endometrial and breast cancers. This study dealt with the evaluation of in vitro and in vivo antiproliferative effects of Solanum gilo Raddi, a plant used in folk medicine to treat tumors in Cameroon. Materials and Methods: The in vitro antiproliferative effect of S. gilo fruit extract was investigated through the well-characterized MTT assay in one normal and three cancerous breast cells. For the in vivo study, one normal group (NOR) of rats received distilled water (vehicle), and five other groups (n = 6) were treated either with tamoxifen (3.3 mg/kg BW) as standard or with the vehicle (negative control) or S. gilo fruit hydroethanolic extract (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg BW). The treatments were administered concomitantly with the E2V to induce breast hyperplasia for 16 weeks, and the endpoints were the histopathology of the mammary glands and some biochemical parameters. Results: The S. gilo extract significantly inhibited human (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and rodent (4T1) breast carcinoma cell growth. Rats exposed only to E2V presented atypical mammary hyperplasia compared to the normal parenchyma observed in normal rats. While rats treated with S. gilo extract at the dose of 125 mg/kg BW showed a microarchitecture of mammary glands with moderate hyperplasia, the higher doses (250 and 500 mg/kg) inhibited mammary gland hyperplasia compared to the E2V group. Conclusion: S. gilo fruit extract has antiproliferative constituents that could help to fight against estrogen-dependent breast cancer, thanks to their ability to scavenge free radicals, as exhibited in this study.

Regular consumption of "Nkui", a Cameroonian traditional dish, may protect against cardiovascular and bone disorders in an estrogen deficiency condition.

OBJECTIVES: There is a growing body of evidence indicating the potential of culinary herbs and spices to decrease the incidence of several chronic diseases or conditions. Because of this, the WHO recommends their regular consumption. In the Cameroonian culinary practices, "Nkui" is a famous dish made from a mixture of 10 spices. In our previous study, the ethanolic extract of this mixture exhibited promising estrogenic properties. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate its protective effects on some menopause-related cardiovascular and bone disorders. METHODS: For this purpose, a post-menopause-like model (ovariectomized rats) has been used. Animals were orally treated with the "Nkui" extract for 60 days. The investigation focused on the oxidative stress status, endothelial function (NO bioavailability), lipid profile, and bone mass, biochemical (calcium and inorganic phosphorus contents, serum alkaline phosphatase activity) and histomorphological features. RESULTS: The extract regulated lipid metabolism in a way to prevent accumulation of abdominal fat, gain in body weight and increased atherogenic indexes induced by ovariectomy. It prevented menopause-related low levels of nitric oxide and oxidative stress damage by increasing superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, while reducing glutathione and malondialdehyde levels in the heart and aorta. Moreover, it prevented ovariectomy-induced bone mass loss, bone marrow disparities and the disorganization of the trabecular network. It also increased femur calcium and inorganic phosphorus contents. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a regular consumption of "Nkui" may have health benefits on cardiovascular system and osteoporosis, major health issues associated with menopause.

Abyssinone V-4' Methyl Ether Isolated from Erythrina droogmansiana (Leguminosae) Inhibits Cell Growth and Mammary Glands Hyperplasia Induced in Swiss Mice by the 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene.

There is a long standing interest in the identification of medicinal plants and derived natural products for developing cancer therapeutics. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antiproliferative effects of Abyssinone V-4' methyl ether (AVME) on breast tissue of mice. The cytotoxicity of AVME was evaluated using MTT assay in four cancer cell lines (DU145, PC3, HepG2, and MCF-7). Further, a protective effect of AVME was evaluated on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene- (DMBA-) induced breast tumor in Swiss mice. Incidence, burden, volume, and histological analysis of mammary tumors were measured. As a result, AVME inhibits DU145, PC3, HepG2, and MCF-7 cells growth. In vivo, no tumor was detected in mice from the normal group as compared to those of DMBA group. Moreover, AVME inhibits the DMBA-induced mammary glands hyperplasia in mice at the dose of 10 mg/kg, evidenced by a decrease of tumor incidence, tumor weight, and volume as well as a protective effect against the lobular alveolar hyperplasia. Taken all together, these results suggest that Abyssinone V-4' methyl ether is endowed with antitumor properties and could be a source of traditional medicine which deserves to be more elucidated and explored in the foreseeable future.

In Vitro Cytotoxicity and In Vivo Antimammary Tumor Effects of the Hydroethanolic Extract of Acacia seyal (Mimosaceae) Stem Bark.

The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of A. seyal hydroethanolic extract on breast cancer. The cytotoxicity of A. seyal extract was evaluated using resazurin reduction assay in 9 cell lines. Further, the protective effect of the hydroethanolic extract of A. seyal stem barks was evaluated on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene- (DMBA-) induced breast cancer rat model. Incidence, burden, volume, and histological analysis of mammary tumors were measured. The Acacia seyal extract exhibited CC50 of 100 in MCF-7 cells after 24 h. In vivo, no tumors were detected in rats from the control group, while 11 rats out of 12 (91.66%) developed mammary tumors in the DMBA-exposed group receiving only the vehicle. Acacia seyal extract significantly (p < 0.01) and in the dose-dependent manner reduced tumor incidence (3 rats out of 12 at the dose of 300 mg/kg), burden [62.1% (150 mg/kg) and 65.8% (300 mg/kg)], and mass. It protected rats against DMBA-induced breast hyperplasia, with an optimal effect at the dose of 300 mg/kg. Taken altogether, these results suggest that the hydroethanolic extract of Acacia seyal might contain phytoconstituents endowed with antitumoral properties, which could protect against the breast cancer induced in rats.

Millettia macrophylla (Fabaceae) phenolic fraction prevents differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the increased risks of cardiovascular diseases in ovariectomized rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: A prolonged estrogen deficiency alters lipid metabolism and increases risks of cardiovascular diseases. Phytoestrogens, naturally occurring compounds with estrogenic properties are reported to have cardiovascular protective effects. Millettia macrophylla used in the Cameroonian traditional system to treat physiological disorders related to menopause, was previously reported to have estrogenic effects. AIM: We, therefore, proposed evaluating the in vitro and in vivo effects of M. macrophylla phenolic fraction on some risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In vitro, the ability of the M. macrophylla phenolic fraction (PF) as well as the 9 isolates to prevent the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes differentiation was assessed. Further, the preventive effects of PF on abdominal fat accumulation, body weight gain, lipid profile, nitric oxide level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed in a postmenopausal rat model. RESULTS: In vitro, PF and its isolate secundiferol I inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, all the isolates except daidzein dimethylether prevented the interleukin IL-6 production in 3T3-L1 cells. In vivo, PF prevented ovariectomy-induced abdominal fat accumulation, body weight gain, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance and decreased atherogenic index. In addition, it induced a vasorelaxant effect by preventing the low level of nitric oxide in the aorta. PF also exhibited antioxidant effects as it increased aorta GSH level, SOD, and catalase activities and decreased MDA level. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data suggest that PF prevents the increased risks of cardiovascular diseases in ovariectomized rats.

Estrogenic properties of spices of the traditional Cameroonian dish "Nkui" in ovariectomized Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Besides the basic role to flavor and color foods, several health benefits have been attributed to spices. The traditional Cameroonian food "Nkui" is prepared using several spices (Afrostyrax lepidophyllus Mildbr., Capsicum frutescens Linn., Fagara leprieurii Guill. et Perr., Fagara tessmannii Engl., Mondia whitei Hook. F. Skell., Pentadiplandra brazzeana Baill., Solanum gilo Raddi., Tetrapleura tetraptera Taub. and Xylopia parviflora A. Rich. Benthane) that are believed to have a positive impact on the female reproductive physiology. Aiming to determine the potential effect of this food on the female reproductive tract, we evaluated the estrogenic properties of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Nkui using a 3-day uterotrophic assay in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODS: OVX female Wistar rats were randomly separated in several groups of five animals each and submitted to a 3-day uterotrophic assay (per os). At the end of treatment, animals were sacrificed and uterus, vagina and mammary gland collected and fixed in 10 % formalin for histological analysis. RESULTS: These extracts increased the uterine wet weight, the uterine and vaginal epithelial heights, and the lumen and diameter of alveoli in the mammary glands. They also altered the estradiol-induced increase of uterine wet weight. The dichloromethane and methanol fractions of the ethanol extract exhibited estrogenic properties as well by increasing uterine and vaginal endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the spices of "Nkui" contain estrogenic phytoconstituents and this traditional food may be considered as functional.